Here are some answers to frequently asked questions
about solar technology in the state of Connecticut. If you have a question
that is not on this page or think that one should be added feel free to
e-mail
Solar Connecticut.

What is a renewable resource?
A renewable resource is a technology that uses the
forces of nature to produce electricity. These forces of nature are
typically constant therefore the source of the power behind the production
of the electricity is renewable. Several types of renewable resources are
hydroelectric (water power), wind power, and solar power. For more
information about renewable resources go to the
Connecticut Clean Energy Fund's Website.

What is Photovoltaic technology
and how does it work?
Photovoltaic technology is a renewable resource
that generates electricity using the power of the Sun. The light we see from
the Sun is made up of very small packets of energy called Photons. When
these photons hit the materials in a photovoltaic cell they knock electrons
free, these electrons then flow through wire to power the equipment being
used then return back to the photovoltaic cell. Since the electrons are
being recycled in this process (returning to the point they came from), as
long as there is Sun light to knock them free then there will be electricity
produced. For more information on how solar works click here.

What is the best environment to
use a photovoltaic cell in?
The obvious answer to this question is an
environment rich with light. However, many people think that the only place
to effectively use PV technology is down south or in the desert. This is not
true though. PV cells work more efficiently in cooler conditions compared to
higher temperature and though southwest part of the U.S. may be able to
obtain up to 7 kilowatts per square meter of solar energy the higher
temperatures decrease the efficiency. Here in the northeast part of the U.S.
we can obtain from 3-5 kilowatts per square meter of solar energy and the
temperatures stay at a level better suited for PV cell usage.

What is Net-Metering?
Net-metering is a
simplified method of metering the energy consumed and produced at a home or
business that has its own renewable energy generator, such as a photovoltaic
energy systems. Under net metering, excess electricity produced by the PV
system will spin the existing home or business electricity meter backwards,
effectively banking the electricity until it is needed by the customer. This
provides the customer with full retail value for all the electricity
produced.

Under existing federal
law (PURPA, Section 210) utility customers can use the electricity they
generate with a photovoltaic system to supply their own lights and appliances,
offsetting electricity they would otherwise have to purchase from the
utility at the retail price. But if the customer produces any excess
electricity (beyond what is needed to meet the customerís own needs) and net
metering is not allowed, the utility purchases that excess electricity at
the wholesale or Ďavoided costí price, which is much lower than the retail
price. The excess energy is metered using an additional meter that must be
installed at the customerís expense. Net metering simplifies this
arrangement by allowing the customer to use any excess electricity to offset
electricity used at other times during the billing period. In other words,
the customer is billed only for the net energy consumed during the billing
period.

There are three reasons
net metering is important. First, because solar energy is an intermittent
resource, customers may not be using power as it is being generated, and net
metering allows them to receive full value for the electricity they produce
without installing expensive battery storage systems. This is important
because it directly affects the economics and pay-back period for the
investment. Second, net-metering reduces the installation costs for the
customer by eliminating the need for a second energy meter. Third, net
metering provides a simple, inexpensive, and easily-administered mechanism
for encouraging the use of small-scale photovoltaic systems, which provide
important local, national, and global benefits to the environment and the
economy.

For more information about net-metering and
connecting your solar home to the power grid please contact your local power
provider.

For Connecticut's consumers the power company
must be notified because net-metering does not work with the current meters
on home. The power company will come out and for no charge to the customer
replace the existing box with one that will allow for net-metering.